Pinay big winner in ASEAN singing contest in Vietnam

A Filipino hotel worker in Vietnam won the ASEAN+3 Song Contest 2017 held last month, besting 21 other singers from Southeast Asian nations, as well as from China, Korea, and Japan.

Darlin Joy Baje placed first in the contest held as part of ASEAN's 50th anniversary celebrations and Voice of Vietnam's 72nd anniversary.

Baje, 29, told GMA News that it was her first time joining a singing contest, as she feared rejection during her teen years.

"Never pa po ako sumasali kahit nung mga teenage years ko po kasi takot ako sa rejections and wala akong lakas ng loob sumali ng mga contest," she said.

Trained by her aunt who is a professional singer, Baje said she was pleasantly surprised with her fellow contestants' "down to earth" attitude. She also said her victory was due to luck and sleepless nights.

"Halo-halo na lahat — pagod, puyat, walang tulog, tapos magdamag na practice and rehearsal and mga extra activities. Swerte ako kasi napasama ako sa semifinals at finals at nanalo," she said.

An OFW for nearly a decade, Baje, who works as front office personnel, said she will focus on her job but will take up singing gigs if ever her schedule permits.

"Sa ngayon po, nag-focus po muna ako sa current job ko. With regards to music, come what may na lang po. I just don't expect anything. Whatever po 'yung dumating, just grab it," Baje said.

Another Pinoy victorious

Aside from Baje, another Filipino, Alvir Anthony Subrado, also emerged victorious in the competition by placing third together with Vietnamese singer Pham Manh.

Subrado, a veteran in singing competitions who had already performed in Music Museum in the Philippines and Opera House in Hanoi, hopes his victory will make singing his "future career."

"After my competition, I went back to my teaching career at the same time getting busy with line up show for August and September," said Subrado, an IELTS Trainer in an International School in Hanoi. "I hope I can find someone to manage my career and get more opportunities to perform."

ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh, Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, and ambassadors of ASEAN+3 were in attendance in the grand finale of the contest in Thanh Hoa.

Held from August 17 to 21, ASEAN+3 Song Contest featured 22 singers from ASEAN nations and five from China, Korea, and Japan aged 18 to 35.

The contest's webpage says the contest intends to attract young audiences from ASEAN, promote "artistic creativity and musical talents," and support the development of young musicians in the community. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News